Gum Disease Treatment

Did you know that gum disease can affect your overall health? This illness has recently been linked to major health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and pancreatic cancer. Pregnant women who suffer from gum disease are at greater risk of having a low birth-weight baby.

About half of all American adults aged 30 and over suffer from some form of periodontal disease. At Ramsey Family Dentistry, we believe in the importance of educating you about this illness, and we offer treatment options for every stage of gum disease.

What Causes Gum Disease?

Your mouth is full of naturally occurring bacteria. When these bacteria perform their normal biological functions, they produce a sticky substance called plaque, which can form a film on the surface of teeth. When plaque is not properly removed through the use of good oral hygiene practices, it hardens into a difficult-to-remove substance called tartar. This build-up can also occur under the surface of the gums, where it irritates gum tissue.

Pockets around the teeth form when prolonged irritation causes the gum tissue to recede away from the tooth. Bacteria are able to further thrive and cause infection in the spaces created by these pockets.

Treatments for Gum Disease

The first stage of gum disease, called gingivitis, is characterized by symptoms like easily bleeding gums, sensitivity, and redness. Gingivitis is usually easily treatable. If you are diagnosed with the beginning stage of gum disease, simple changes in your dental care routine may prevent the illness from advancing.

If left untreated, gingivitis progresses into periodontitis, which can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and other complications. If you have an advanced case of gum disease, Dr. Ramsey will discuss your treatment options with you. Some treatment options include:

Antibiotic therapy

Deep-cleaning

Gum surgery

Antibiotics work by stopping the spread of bacteria in your mouth so that your gums can heal. Antibiotics can be taken in pill form or administered using medication placed directly into the gum pockets. If this treatment option is required, you will need to carefully follow Dr. Ramsey’s instructions for antibiotic use for the best results.

The deep-cleaning treatment method involves a procedure called scaling and root planing. During scaling, Dr. Ramsey will scrape away tartar from the tooth both above and below the gum line. Root planing involves smoothing away areas on the tooth’s root where bacteria collect.

Dr. Ramsey will measure the depth of the pockets around your teeth and assess the extent of the tissue damage. If it is determined that you need gum disease surgery, Dr. Ramsey will manually remove diseased tissue. The disease-free tissue will then be treated so that it will heal tightly around the teeth.